Hazel Marie Barton
Hazel Marie Barton, who served Skidmore as a kitchen/dining room assistant for 25
years until her retirement in 1999, died on July 7, 2023. She was 94.
Born on June 13, 1929, in Saratoga Springs, Hazel worked at Thompsons' Laundry Service
and Cudney’s Cleaners for many years before joining Skidmore in 1974.
“Hazel was part of what felt like one big family in the kitchen back then,” recalled
Kevin Lloyd, who worked with her in the 1980s. “She loved the students and almost
always had a smile on her face. When she saw someone was having a bad day, she always
went out of her way to cheer them up.”
“She was always very welcoming to new employees and took them under her wings,” added
Debbie Hoyos, who now works in Burgess Café. “She took a lot of pride in her work
at Skidmore.”
Dining Services Operations Manager Jamie Cherry, likewise, praised her work ethic.
"Hazel had an old-school work ethic; she was here to get work done,” he said. “She
always came to work no matter the time of year — bad weather, you name it, she came
to work!”
Hazel is survived by her children, Dave (Susan) Barton of Miami, Texas; Linda Michadick
of Fredericksburg, Virginia; Jim Barton of Gansevoort; and Debi Krebs of Haines City,
Florida; seven grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild;
and nieces and nephews.